How to use Image Alt Text

The description behind each of your listing photos is what image search reads, and this tool writes it for you. Most sellers skip it, which is exactly why it's worth doing: a free search channel your competitors aren't using.

What you'll fill in

These are the fields the tool asks for, exactly as they appear in the app. Required fields are marked; the rest you can leave blank and CopySprout fills the gaps.

• ProductRequired

  The specific item as shoppers see it — be exact.

  Example: Hand-thrown ceramic mug

• MaterialsRequired

  What it’s made from — Etsy shoppers filter by this.

  Example: stoneware

• Style or themeRequired

  Words shoppers use to find this style.

  Example: boho

• What’s in the photoOptional

  Describe what’s visible in the photo — optional.

  Example: mug on a wooden table, soft light

How to use it

1. Open the app and pick Image Alt Text from the Listings group.
2. Fill in the product, materials, and style. These keep the descriptions consistent across your photos.
3. If a photo shows something specific, say so in the optional photo box. "Mug on a wooden table, soft light" is exactly the right level of detail.
4. Run it. You get a description for the photo, written for image search.
5. Paste each description into the matching photo's alt text field on Etsy.

What you get

A clear, searchable description for your photo: product, color, material, and setting. The kind of text that lets image search figure out what it's looking at.

Tips

• Alt text helps your photos show up in image search, which brings in shoppers who never typed your product's name.
• Describe what's actually in the photo, plainly. Don't stuff it with keywords, just say what's there.